Is a functional cure for Type 1 Diabetes on the horizon? | Paul Laikind | TEDxSanDiegoSalon



Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leads to a loss of beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells are part of a cellular complex that produce insulin, an essential hormone that regulates our blood sugar, keeping it within a narrow range, and thus allowing normal bodily functions to occur. To survive, patients must monitor and control their diet, track physical activity, carefully regularly measure their blood sugar levels, and inject the appropriate amount of insulin. But Paul Laikind and his team at ViaCyte are working on a functional cure that involves the use of stem cells which become pancreatic cells that can mature and produce insulin in a normal manner. Paul K. Laikind, Ph.D. has over 30 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industry in San Diego. He currently serves as President, CEO and a member of the Board of ViaCyte, Inc. a leading company in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Prior to joining ViaCyte, Dr. Laikind served as Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Development at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at

source